UAE bid to keep World Cup hopes alive with victory over Uzbekistan
The UAE stand in Uzbekistan's way with the Central Asian nation on the verge of securing FIFA World Cup qualification for the first time.
Timur Kapadze's Uzbekistan only need to avoid defeat against UAE in their AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 Group A tie to join Islamic Republic of Iran at next year's global extravaganza.
The UAE, however, will go into the tie at the Al Nahyan Stadium determined to - at the very least - delay Uzbekistan's celebrations.
Seeking a second appearance at the FIFA World Cup, UAE still have an outside chance of securing an automatic ticket and will have Romanian tactician Cosmin Olariu leading them for the first time.
They sit on 13 points, four behind Uzbekistan but with just two matches remaining, their fate is out of their hands but Olariu has vowed they will do their best to keep their dream of automatic qualification alive.
Stopping history-seeking Uzbekistan won't be easy, with the White Wolves having suffered defeat only once in their qualifying campaign.
The players, said defender Rustam Ashurmatov, are determined to realise the dreams of their nation.
'We give our all in every match. We go to the field only to win. I think our team is capable of this - we will win,' said Ashurmatov to local media.
Meanwhile, Julen Lopetegui will be aiming to get his tenure off to a winning start when Qatar host Islamic Republic of Iran in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 on Thursday.
While Iran have already confirmed their FIFA World Cup 2026 appearance, Qatar's hopes depend on them advancing from the playoffs, with automatic qualification no longer an option.
Such have two-time AFC Asian Cup winners Qatar's troubles been that Lopetegui will be the third head coach in charge of their qualifying campaign.
With an automatic spot out of reach, former Spain and Real Madrid manager Lopetegui has to ensure the West Asian side finish a minimum fourth to book a spot in the playoffs, where an additional two FIFA World Cup tickets will be at stake.
On a positive note, they sit four points ahead of Kyrgyz Republic but with Iran and then Uzbekistan to follow, Qatar must tread with caution.
Iran will head into the tie in relaxed mode after securing a fourth consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup.
In what has been a sterling qualifying campaign, the only points Team Melli dropped were in two stalemates with Uzbekistan and they aren't likely to hold back despite having already secured their FIFA World Cup slot.
The corresponding fixture last November ended 5-0 in Iran's favour and they will be aiming for another statement win. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia both know the score - only victory will suffice when they meet in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 on Thursday.
Bahrain are chasing a playoff spot while Saudi Arabia need the three points to keep their hopes of automatic qualification alive going into next Tuesday's final round of matches.
Defeats against Indonesia and Japan in the March fixtures ended Bahrain's hopes of an automatic spot, with the West Asian side going into their tie against Saudi Arabia on six points.
They sit three point behind Indonesia, with the third and fourth-place teams to advance to the playoffs which offer an additional two spots to the global showpiece.
While their fate is no longer in their hands, Bahrain will be determined to remain in the race for as long as they can as they look to make up for their March defeats.
With Japan having already confirmed their spot in next year's Finals, Saudi Arabia are in a two-horse race with Australia - with the Socceroos in prime position to advance automatically.
That, however, could change if Australia fail to beat Japan on Thursday as a win for Saudi Arabia against Bahrain will mean the two will face off in a winner-takes-all showdown on Tuesday.
Oman will aim to maximise home ground advantage when they welcome Jordan to the Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex for their AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 Group B tie on Thursday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
14 hours ago
- The National
Cristiano Ronaldo: I won't be going to Club World Cup - but I've had plenty of invitations
Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he will not be going to this month's Fifa Club World Cup, although the veteran attacker admitted there had been 'plenty of invitations' to play. Last month, Fifa president Gianni Infantino claimed that discussions had taken place about the possibility of Ronaldo joining one of the clubs taking part in the inaugural tournament that is being held in the United States. Days later, Ronaldo seemed to suggest that his time at Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr was coming to an end following a frustrating campaign in the Middle East. For the second season running Ronaldo had topped the SPL scoring charts but not only had Nassr finished without a trophy but also failed to qualify for the AFC Champions League Elite. 'This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all,' the 40-year-old posted on social media after Al Nassr's defeat at Al Fateh in their final game of the season. This sparked a flurry of speculation that Ronaldo was set to move ahead of the Club World Cup with Al Hilal, who will be participating in the US, linked as one of his possible destinations. But, speaking ahead of Portugal's Uefa Nations League final against Spain in Munich on Sunday, the former Sporting Club, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus striker played down the possibility of appearing at the Club World Cup. 'It's irrelevant, at the moment it doesn't make sense to talk about things other than the national team,' said Ronaldo, who scored the winner in Portugal's semi-final win over Germany on Wednesday – his 137th international goal. 'There has been plenty of contact [from clubs], I see things that make sense, others that don't. You can't go to all of them [clubs], you have to think short, medium and long term. 'It's something that's practically decided on my part, which is not to go to the Club World Cup, but I've had plenty of invitations.' Al Nassr remain hopeful that Ronaldo will remain at the club despite sporting director Fernando Hierro admitting there were 'many clubs interested in signing him'. 'Cristiano's arrival was not just a signing – it was a national project,' Hierro added. 'He opened up the Saudi league to the world. It's phenomenal he had the courage to come, to stay, and to help us grow.' Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in 2023 and has scored 99 goals in 111 appearances for the Riyadh-based club, including 35 times last season. With his club future seemingly up in the air, Ronaldo is focusing on winning this third major honour with Portugal, after the European Championship (2016) and Nations League (2018/19). Looking to stop the Portuguese at the final hurdle will be reigning European champions Spain and there teenage wonderkid Lamine Yamal. The 17-year-old has just helped Barcelona seal a domestic treble, winning the title back from Ronaldo's old club Real while also beating Los Blancos in the Copa del Rey and Spanish Supercup finals. Yamal also played a key role in Spain winning Euro 2024 last summer when he won the young player of the tournament award and scored the goal of the tournament in the semi-final win over France. And now the final is being touted as being a face-off between the world football's young pretender up against one of the game's all-time greats. But the man himself – whose rivalry with Barca legend Lionel Messi has been a backdrop to his whole career – played down the idea. 'It's always been like that, whenever I've played football, whenever I've played a big game it's always been Cristiano against this one, against that one,' Ronaldo said. 'It's been 20-something years and it's still the same, it doesn't keep me up at night any more, it's a normal thing. They're completely different generations, a generation that's starting out, another that's finishing, which is my case. 'In reality it's not like that, it's a team against a team. It will always be like that … What I want most is for Portugal to be at a good level, confident that things can go well, that we can play a great game and win against a very good team, possibly the best in the world.' Ronaldo also played down suggestions that Yamal should be the front-runner for this year's Ballon d'Or award, with the five-time winner adding: 'In my opinion … The Ballon d'Or winner should be in a team that has won the Champions League.'
The National
2 days ago
- The National
Jordanians celebrate historic World Cup qualification
Jordan have qualified for the Fifa World Cup for the first time, sparking nationwide celebrations
The National
2 days ago
- The National
Jordan celebrate historic World Cup qualification, King Abdullah II leads tributes
Jordan's King Abdullah II led the tributes as his nation celebrated reaching the Fifa World Cup for the first time in their history. Ali Olwan was the hero for the Jordanians as he netted a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Oman in Muscat on Thursday night. The jubilant away supporters were joined by Crown Prince Hussein, who was seen celebrating in the stands. The win put the 2023 Asian Cup runners-up into a commanding position to secure a top-two finish in AFC qualifying Group B behind leaders South Korea, and their progress was confirmed a few hours later when the Koreans beat Iraq 2-0 in Basra. Jordan's King Abdullah II congratulated the team on social media. 'This historic qualification is well-deserved by our team, which includes stars and cadres of whom we are proud,' he wrote on X. 'Special thanks go to our loyal fans who have been our support and encouragement.' Jordan's qualification for the expanded 48-team tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico extends a rewarding period for the national team after their run to the Asian Cup final in 2023. In that competition they eliminated South Korea in the last four before eventually losing to hosts Qatar in the final. The South Koreans cemented top spot in AFC Group B and consigned Iraq to another round of qualifying with a routine victory at the Basra International Stadium. The Iraqi cause was not helped by a first-half red card for Ipswich striker Ali Al Hamadi and goals after the break from Kim Jin-gyu and Oh Hyeon-gyu confirmed their defeat. The Iraqis will drop into the fourth round of qualifying where they will be joined by either Palestine or Oman who meet next week in a winner-takes-all clash. Palestine kept their hopes alive with a 2-0 win over Kuwait on Thursday thanks to goals from Tamer Seyam and Wessam Abou Ali. The six teams who finish third and fourth across the three AFC groups will enter a fresh phase of qualifying featuring two groups of three with the winners of each section sealing a place at the finals. Four of the six teams – UAE, Qatar, Indonesia and Iraq – are already known, with most likely Saudi Arabia and one of Palestine and Oman to complete the line up. Saudi Arabia alive but face steep task Saudi Arabia and Australia will go head-to-head next Tuesday for the second automatic spot in Group C. Australia remain in pole position following their last-gasp win against group leaders Japan in Perth. Defender Aziz Behich was the home hero in front of more than 57,000 fans, rifling into the corner in the 90th minute to give Tony Popovic's side a crucial 1-0 victory. 'We know there's room to grow and room to improve, but we've done something special tonight,' said Popovic, who saw his team outplayed for long periods by an experimental Japan side. Saudi Arabia ensured the race for second place will go down to the wire courtesy of a 2-0 win against Bahrain in Riffa. Goals in either half from Musab Al Juwayr and Abdulrahman Al Obud saw Herve Renard's men stay three points behind second-placed Australia. However, the Saudis will have to win in Jeddah by five goals to leapfrog the Socceroos. Popovic, who replaced Graham Arnold in the dugout in September, added: 'We've all played a part in getting us to this point. We want to go to Saudi Arabia and really finish the job off.' Also in Group C, Patrick Kluivert's Indonesia kept alive their hopes of reaching a first World Cup since the country's independence in 1945 with a 1-0 win over China. That leaves Indonesia fourth in the group, one point behind Saudi. Ole Romeny scored the only goal, his controversial penalty just before half time following a VAR check leaving China rooted to the bottom of the group and thus ending their hopes of making a second World Cup. UAE and Qatar will move into the next round of qualifying.
